For the Record - Brief Article

National Review, August 20, 2001

--As Treasury begins mailing $38 billion in rebates to 90 million taxpayers, President Bush comments: "I said the federal government was overcharging [Americans], and on your behalf I demanded a refund. Congress worked with me in a bipartisan way, and now your money is on its way back to you.". . . According to Democratic pollster Celinda Lake, 53 percent of Americans believe their taxes will rise next year. . . . Bush in World Bank speech: "I respect the right to peaceful expression, but make no mistake-those who protest free trade are no friends of the poor. Those who protest free trade seek to deny them their best hope for escaping poverty." . . . In Harris poll, 81 percent say Laura Bush improves image of First Lady, and 48 percent believe Hillary Clinton harmed it. . . . Bush places bust of Winston Churchill in Oval Office, beside Eisenhower and Lincoln; UPI reports Bush received bust from British ambassador Christopher Meyer, who had heard president lament lack of one at White House. . . . Rep. John Dingell (D., Mich.) says Bush's positions are unpopular: "As a matter of fact, I'm not sure I'd come to the conclusion that I'd rather be Mr. Bush than Mr. Condit."

--Sen. Tom Daschle tells reporters he might not even run for reelection in '04, let alone the White House: "I'm not thinking of doing anything right now, until after the 2002 elections." . . . Daschle tells The Hill that a good majority leader needs "the ability to grovel . . . I've groveled a lot." . . . New poll in Daschle's South Dakota shows Rep. John Thune (R.) leading incumbent Tim Johnson (D.) in hypothetical 2002 Senate contest, 45 percent to 39 percent. . . . Sen. John Edwards (D., N.C.) plans Mideast trip in move widely seen as attempt to burnish foreign-policy credentials before presidential run. . . . Retired Army Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy, known for charging Pentagon colleagues with sexual harassment in 1996, weighs running for Senate as Democrat against Sen. John Warner (R., Va.). . . . Newly released documents show labor unions "had veto power over Democratic party plans in 1996 by virtue of their large donations and seats on the steering committees in each state," reports AP. . . . Mold as pork: Senate Budget Committee chairman Kent Conrad (D., N.D.) seeks $5 million "to address mold problems on the Turtle Mountain Indian reservation."

--National Abortion Federation launches $2 million ad campaign in support of RU-486 abortion pill. "We don't need to be ashamed about abortion as an option," says Lorie Spear of Planned Parenthood in Chicago, in AP. . . . Sen. Mike DeWine (R., Ohio) to INS commissioner James W. Ziglar at confirmation hearings: "You inherit a an agency that's a mess." . . . Former California governor Pete Wilson, on proposed amnesty for Mexican illegal aliens: "It sends a message that if you, in fact, enter the country illegally and are patient, you will become legalized." . . . Sen. Harry Reid (D., Nev.) on Justice Antonin Scalia, on Fox News: "I'm not like most Democrats. I like Scalia. I don't agree with a lot of his opinions, but I'm truly amazed at his ability to reason, to think." . . . Boeing creates new corporate division for missile-defense projects. . . . Conservative Rep. Richard Pombo (R., Calif.) elected chairman of House Western Caucus.

--House minority leader Dick Gephardt on raising taxes in Des Moines Register: "Let me tell you something, I'm glad we did what was right in 1993, and I'll do it again because I believe in being fiscally responsible with the taxpayers' money." . . . American Heritage magazine dubs DCCC fundraiser Jane Fonda "Ms. America," the individual who provides "a mirror of the nation's past 40 years." . . . Katherine Harris "seriously considering" running for Congress. . . . Republicans "actively courting" ex-Rep. Rick Lazio (R., N.Y.) to run again for his old House seat. . . . Erie Times-News reports Gov. Tom Ridge (R., Penn.) will not join Bush administration before 2004: "We'll see whether I go [to Washington] at that time." . . . Rasmussen poll has Virginia governor race too close to call for first time in eight months, with 39 percent for tech millionaire Mark Warner (D.), 37 percent for ex-attorney general Mark Earley (R.). . . . Former RNC chairman Haley Barbour considers running for governor of Mississippi.

--Katharine Graham's funeral was major VIP Alert, with Bill Gates, Barbara Walters, Robert McNamara, Arthur Schlesinger, Vernon Jordan, Sen. Bob Graham (D., Fla.), Sen. Clinton and Mr. Clinton and Vice President Cheney all in attendance; ex-senator John Danforth delivered homily, and eulogists included Ben Bradlee and Henry Kissinger. . . . David Gergen: "Kay Graham was there to protect our freedom." . . . Robert Edgar, general secretary of National Council of Churches of Christ: "You will shortly be receiving your thirty pieces of silver (or $300 to $600) in the form of a tax rebate." Urges Americans to "reinvest your tax rebate with the poor." . . . The National Journalism Center is taking applications for its fall session, a 12-week program for aspiring young journalists. For more information, see http://nationaljournalismcenter.org.